Saturday, November 19, 2011

Green Apple or Asian Pear? Oh no wait…Quince!

Recently, a very dear friend of mine had a great new fruit that I had never heard of…a green apple? Asian pear? No, something in between: quince!!

Why have you done a good thing?

Quince is a wonderfully tart yellow, pear shaped fruit. Quince has been shown to have a rich source of anti-allergic and anti-viral propertiesreducing symptoms of allergies. Quince also has a large amount of tannins,(giving quince its tart taste) which bind to cancer carrying toxins and chemicals, protecting you against cancer. Quince also contains 25% of your daily vitamin C requirement, helping to build your immunity in the winter months. Quince is also a great source of vitamin A, reducing night blindness. Quince is rich in fiber, helping to keep your bowel movements regular, reduce your cholesterol, and reduce your risk for certain cancers.And overall, introducing new fruits into your diet like quince, increases the variety of fruits and vegetables you have in your diet = more vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants!

How to pick and store a quince:

Choose a quince that is bright golden yellow. Store them in the refrigerator. Or pick up quince jam spreads, also delicious!

What do they taste like?

Quince have a tart taste when raw but when cooked, quince tastes like a tart (green) apple with the texture of a pear.

Quince Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas:

Serve quince jam with manchego cheese and whole wheat crackers as an appetizer

Glaze meats and poultry (like your turkey) with quince syrup – Cook 2 lbs of quartered fresh quince in 1 cup of sugar and 4 cups of water with 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Simmer until pale pink in color. Strain and marinade meats or poultry in syrup and roast with cooked quince! Try this great Quince Turkey recipe from Martha Stewart:

Make roasted pears, apples, butternut squash, brussel sprouts, parsnips and quince for an easy side dish

Amy Santo, MS RD CDN

Samantha Jacobs, MS RD CDN

About Us

What's a nutritionist's Secret Ingredient? Amy Santo and Samantha Jacobs are 2 registered dietitians, who love to eat and cook. We are an in-home private nutrition practice that helps families and individuals live nutritiously from stovetop to tabletop. Since the start of Your Secret Ingredient, Amy and Sam have successfully counseled a wide range of clients to make positive changes and create nutritious homes, as well as consult with corporations and the food industry to promote health and nutrition. Whether counseling a family or consulting for a business, at Your Secret Ingredient, Amy and Sam’s passion for health and good food always shines on being nourished for life.